On a night before Christmas, Tensions are mounting.Dreams of better things to come, Over forty years of mediocrity and counting.

A horrendous record amid rising cries, Visions of endless losses, rising up to the skies.Pleas for change and front office banishment, Go with the prayers and hopes for new management.

From days long gone, folks still wear,The stuff from the past, when back then they cared.Blue and grey kerchiefs, caps, T's, even socks,The pride that comes with playoff spots.

Lately there's been rumours and clatter, Few sitting up and taking notice of these matters.Read the star, the Life, the articles, blogs and forums,Even attend on a free ticket and you'll feel the boredom.

As the moon shines down on this crestfallen city,Losses piling up in a league with no pity.Then what to their wondering eyes, on a prior engagement, A victory over the Soo, to everyone's amazement.

Then out of the past, to a franchise misbegotten, From another time, a man utterly forgotten.More rapid those memories, in moments they came, A ghost from Christmas past, many recalling his name.

"Now friends, fans, players and coaches,Those who came to watch, especially those season ticket holders.The high end of hockey is played with the heart, I owe a lot to this place, this is where I got my start."

Like coffee grounds that settle in your Tim Horton's cup, Signal a re-fill, when things start to look up.Only the top of the league' s standing will do,With new coaching, management and ownership too.

There he stood, a symbol of hope for the future, An early Christmas present, for all Sudburians to nurture.His quiet yet eloquent statement, spoken as fact,"I only want to give something back."

He was dressed for HNIC, bloodlines fresh and new,Where business and pleasure meet, for only the rare few.Local high chool, junior, NCAA, then on to a NHL career, When you work hard for what you want, you have nothing to fear.

Signing autographs for all those yearning, Showing the way clearly, you can never stop learning.Helping to develope future stars afar in the USA, Returning to the Nickel City on that special day.

And on that hallow'd eve, rumours abound,Why can't he stay and re-build this once great hockey town?But as quickly he came, quietly gone was he,All those who had met him, realizing just how good things could be.

Speaking no further, his time here is done, Back home to grow The Game, under a hot winter sun, A timely appearance for those who remember, We appreciate his visit, on that cold day in December.

Away for now, his legend anything but average, Many long for the return of our own Brian Savage.And some claim they overheard these words from that great Arizoner, "Merry Christmas to all, I could be your next owner."

A Christman Carol....by woofer

Good job, as always, woofer! And, while our teams may be foes on the ice, I hope for the sake of the long-suffering fans in the Sudbury area and for the pride of Northern Ontario hockey that the mess that is the Sudbury Wolves ownership and management will right itself sooner rather than later.....with new and enlightened ownership and effective management and great coaching. .....but I still hope the Hounds can beat ya every game(not to say that we do it all the time now!)!!

OK, Santa, do something for these fans and the good of Sudbury hockey, please!

Well done Woofer, very well done. Keep the faith, kudos to you Wolves fans, I can imagine it's frustrating year after year. Your devotion in the dark days will make the glory days that much sweeter. Brighter days ahead.